Unauthorized service angers church leaders

Group of Episcopal bishops warns conservatives opposing gay clergy

Copyright 2004 From staff and wire reports

Published
5:30 am CST, Thursday, March 25, 2004

The nation's Episcopal bishops rebuked conservative colleagues Wednesday who defied church law by leading a confirmation service in Ohio without authorization -- an act that was tied directly to the denomination's rift over gay clergy.

Wednesday's statement warned that future violations will provoke church trials of offending bishops. But conservatives remained defiant, suggesting that such showdowns are likely.

Concluding a six-day retreat in Navasota, the Episcopal hierarchy issued a statement repudiating five retired bishops who were invited to the Ohio service by conservative parishes that -- like others elsewhere -- will not accept leadership from the local bishop because he backed the election of an openly gay bishop. The five included Maurice M. Benitez, retired bishop of the Houston-based Diocese of Texas.

The prelates decided not to indict the five for breaking church law. Instead, they were ordered to meet with Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold and his Council of Advice.

But Wednesday's statement said those who perform further bishops' duties without permission from the resident bishop "will be subject to discipline."

The majority of Episcopal bishops and delegates to the church's national convention last year favored Gene Robinson's elevation to New Hampshire bishop, but perhaps 15 percent of the denomination is deeply opposed to gay clergy. Division over the issue has threatened to split the church.

In Texas, the church leaders also worked three days to produce a plan for visiting bishops to serve conservative parishes -- but only after approval from the resident bishop.

However, the dean of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin said the plan deserves to be affirmed because it's a compromise between conservative and liberal bishops.

The Diocese of Texas is led by centrist Bishop Don Wimberly, who voted against Robinson's ordination. Wimberly has asked his parishes not to make any decisions until the Archbishop of Canterbury issues his ruling about the American church in the fall.